BILL NUMBER: S1497
SPONSOR: FAHY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the
paper carryout bag reduction fee
 
PURPOSE:
To amend the environmental conservation law regarding the paper carryout
bag reduction fee.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Amends subdivision 7 of section 27-2805 of the environmental
conservation law to direct the comptroller to pay retailers 40% of the
collected paper carryout bag reduction fee after the first year.
2. Sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Current legislation allocates two cents of each fee to reusable bag
programs, leaving retailers to bear significant costs. This bill reduces
the financial burden on retailers by allowing them to recoup a greater
portion of the costs associated with higher-cost paper bags.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A7364 (2019-20), A2447 (2021-22), A3803 (2023-24)
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as
part H of a chapter of the laws of 2019 amending the environmental
conservation law.

Statutes affected:
S1497: 27-2805 environmental conservation law, 27-2805(7) environmental conservation law